York Region cop charged in alleged fraud

AURORA, Ont. - A police officer north of Toronto and two others are charged after an investigation into alleged misuse of police insurance benefits.

York Regional Police say their professional standards bureau began probing an officer, his wife and a fitness facility manager in February after the force received complaints from its benefits provider.

Const. Stuart Coleman, 41, of Richmond Hill, has been suspended with pay since then, pending the outcome of the investigation, and police say he was arrested Thursday.

He and Ruth Coleman, 41, of Vaughan, and Michael McCleary, 40, of Toronto, face charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, uttering false documents and fraud over $5,000.

All are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 11, in Newmarket.

Coleman has been with the force since 2005 and was working in criminal investigations at the time of his suspension.

Chief Eric Jolliffe said it is "extremely disappointing" to lay the charges against one of his officers but added doing so sends the message that such behaviour is not tolerated.

"We remain accountable to our members and our community," he said. "It’s unfortunate that the actions of a few can negatively affect our organization."

By The Canadian Press

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(1) Comment

By toolbelt|AUGUST 01, 2014 02:38 PM

Suspended....with pay!!! in the private sector we call that a holiday!!!!! When proven guilty, can we assume he will have to repay those dollars, plus interest??